Step 1: Getting Started

Are you feeling adventurous? Or maybe you just want to level up your current knitting skills. Either way you will enjoy creating this pretty felted tote, designed by our very own Melanie Smith. Mix and match colors to produce a colorful tote that functions as a purse, craft bag or even school bag. Design it to accent your seasonal wardrobe or knit one up as a gift for someone special. The felting process make this tote soft and supple. You'll love carrying this unique tote and it will quickly become a wonderful conversation piece!

Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured diamond pattern. The result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric. The actual material is made of interconnected squares on two different orientations.

Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Materials: Worsted weight yarn wool that will felt easily (the model was made from Lopi Lite)

300 yards of color A

200 yards of color B

100 yards of colors C,D,E,

150 yards of color F,

Size 24 inch circular needles in 10 ½

Size 10 ½ dpns

Yarn needle

Yarn markers

Special Note: this project is great for using up scrap yarns , you will have better results if you use all the same brand of yarn. Do not use a superwash wool or any wool that claims to be machine washable.

Gauge: Gauge is not as important on this project as it is not a fitted item. The approximate size of the finished tote is 9”x11” and 35” around, not including handles.

Next Round: K to first YO3, K first into the first YO and let the other two YO’s fall off the needle. Repeat this around.

Knit two rounds.

Next round: K 9, inc, repeat around. (110)

Knit one round

Next round; K 10, inc, repeat around.(120)

Knit one round

Next round: K 11, inc, repeat around. (130)

Knit 2 rounds with color A brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 2 rounds with color B brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 2 rounds with color C brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 2 rounds with color D brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 2 rounds with color E brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 2 rounds with color B brake yarn at end of second round

Knit 4 rounds with color A brake yarn at end of second round

Entrelac:

Set up triangles using color F

Row 1& 2: K2, turn, P2 turn

Row 3& 4: K3, turn, P3, turn

Row 5& 6: K4,turn, P4, turn

Row 7& 8: K5,turn, P5, turn

Row 9& 10: K6,turn, P6, turn

Row 11& 12: K7,turn, P7, turn

Row 13& 14: K8,turn, P8, turn

Row 15& 16: K9,turn, P9, turn

Row 17& 18: K10,turn, P10, turn

Row 19& 20: K11,turn, P11, turn

Row 21& 22: K12,turn, P12, turn

Row 23: K 13 do not turn , leave these stitches on the needle and repeat rows 1-23 nine more times

Step 3: Pattern Instructions 2

Rectangle Round:

Using color A

Row 1: with front of work facing you , pick up 13 sts along the right side of the first triangle, turn.

Row 2: P 12 P 2tog, turn

Row 3: Knit

Repeat rows 2&3 until all triangle stitches are used up. Brake yarn.

Continue making rectangles as the first one for a total of ten, but changing colors as follows.

1-color A,

2-color B,

3-color C,

4-color D,

5-color E,

6-color A,

7-color B,

8-color C,

9-color D,

10-color E,

Bottom Triangles:

With right side facing you and color F, pick up 13 sts down the left side of first rectangle.

Row 1: Slip 1, purl across, turn

Row 2: K to last stitch , SKPO, using one stitch that was on the left needle, turn.

Row 3: Slip 1, P across to last tow sts, P2tog,turn.

Repeat rows 2 &3 until 4 sts remain.

Next row; slip 1 P2tog, turn, K1, SKPO, turn. Leave the remaining stitch on the needle. With right side facing, pick up 12 sts along the next rectangle. Repeat until you have a total of 10 triangles and your tote is off the needles.

Tote base:

With Color A pick up 130 stitches

Knit 3 rounds with color A

Knit 2 rounds with color B

Knit 2 rounds with color C

Knit 2 rounds with color D

Knit 2 rounds with color E

Knit 2 rounds with color B

Knit 2 rounds with color A

Purl 4 rounds

Next round : pick up and knit together with the stitch on the left needle and the bar from the last knit round.

Step 4: Pattern Instructions 3

Bottom of bag

Complete the following rounds changing to dps with necessary

Knit 2 rounds

Next round: K10, SSK, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K 11, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K9, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K8, SSK, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K 7, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K6, SSK, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K5, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K 4, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K3, SSK, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K2, K2tog, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K1, SSK, repeat around.

Knit 1 round

Next round: K2tog, repeat around

Last round K2 tog, around. Brake yarn about 8 inches from work. Using a yarn needle weave through ends and secure closed.

Step 5: Finishing Up

Handles:

Using color B CO 10 sts. Knit across DO NOT TURN, slide the stitches to the right end of needle knit across. Repeat these 10 sts I cord for a total of 40 inches. Brake yarn and weave through stitches and secure. Take the tail from the beginning of handle and weave through the first ten stitches and secure.

Felting Instructions:

Be sure to secure all yarn ends. Place tote into a pillow case or laundry bag. Place into washer and add a few towels or jeans. Add a small amount of laundry soap. Turn washer to small load and hot wash, cold rinse. Agitate for 10 minutes. Check to see if your tote is felted to your liking , if not repeat until desired felting is complete. Return tote to washer and let run through the cycle. Remove tote and block with plastic bags inside to help hold its shape.

Assembly: Find the hole in front and the back of tote . Insert the first hand from back to front and tie a small knot to secure. Repeat for all ends.

About The Author

Melanie has more than 25 years experience as a Hands-on fiber artist and fiber arts teacher specializing in crochet, knitting, spinning, weaving and tatting. She has taught classes through various yarn stores, Community Education Programs, fiber fairs; as well as in 4-H programs around Idaho. She has been designing her own unique projects and patterns for numerous year and she has spent several years as a pattern tester for many yarn and design companies. You can usually find her working on something or planning her next project.